Dear FCI,
One of the best things about traveling is the variety of cuisine. I could eat anything, anywhere, but sometimes it’s the atmosphere of a restaurant that makes for a memorable dining experience. I’ve been to some unique places—anything from a toilet themed restaurant to a café that looks like it’s out of a cartoon! I wanted to share with you all some interesting places where I’ve dined.
The Rock Restaurant, Zanzibar
From afar this may look like a bungalow sitting in the ocean, but it's actually a restaurant. The Rock Restaurant is known for fresh caught seafood, locally grown vegetables and Tanzanian spices presented with a Zanzibar twist. You can either swim (it's a short distant from the beach) or take a small boat to get there, but regardless of the route the experience is one of a kind.
The Labassin Waterfall Restaurant, Villa Escudero Resort, San Pablo City, Philippines
Founded in the 1880s as a sugarcane plantation, the Villa Escudero was opened to the public as a resort nearly a century later. It’s a showcase for the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage. The Labassin Waterfall Restaurant is one of the main attractions of the villa, offering diners a traditional Filipino buffet served kamayan style (without plates or utensils) on bamboo tables. It may be a little humid, but the waterfalls act as a natural air conditioner creating a cool, refreshing dining experience.
Bird’s Nest Restaurant, Soneva Kiri Eco Resort, Thailand
If heights are not your thing, you may want to rethink visiting this restaurant. At the Bird’s Nest Restaurant in the Soneva Kiri Eco Resort in Thailand, dining tables are set up in tree pods or nests sitting nearly 16 feet above the ground.
The nests not only offer privacy for couples or parties, but a unique ambience and stunning views. Diners can choose from a vast array of Thai fusion dishes and the waiters deliver your food via zip line!
Grotta Palazzese, Polignano a Mare, Italy
Set in a cave overlooking the ocean lies the Grotta Palazzese. Diners can eat outdoors, close to the water’s edge, or in one of the two large cave rooms. Fine dining is taken to the next level here with food served á la carte, a dress code for diners and staff, and a view of the ocean you’d think was out of a painting.
Greem Café, Seoul, South Korea
This spot is more a coffee shop than a restaurant, but nevertheless the site left an imprint on my mind—the interior of the café is purposefully designed to look two-dimensional! From the walls, countertops, furniture, mugs, and even utensils—everything looks flat, giving the impression that the café is made out of paper and ink.
The coffee itself may not be sanything to write home about, but being a three-dimensional figure in a “two-dimensional” coffee shop? Now that’s a different story.
Ithaa Restaurant, Alif Dhaal Atoll, Maldives
Ithaa sets the world record for being the World’s First Undersea Restaurant. A part of the Conrad Maldives Rengali Island resort and built 15 meters below sea level, this 5-by-9-meter venue allows a 270-degree panoramic underwater view of local reefs and fish species.
It can only seat up to 14 guests at a time and meals usually consist of 4-7 courses, so it’s best to make reservations far ahead of time!
Modern Toilet Restaurant, Taipei City, Taiwan
What makes this restaurant stand out? Well for one, it’s toilet themed. Surprisingly there are several toilet themed restaurants around the world, which is odd since it's not the most appetizing appliance, yet that’s what makes it unique.
At the Modern Toilet Restaurant in Taiwan, diners sit on toilets and eat from mini toilet bowls—the décor is everything bathroom. It may not be as picturesque as dining under the sea or near the water’s edge but it’ll be a dining experience you won't forget.
Restaurants create dining experiences: mixing food with atmosphere, creating memories and in some cases allowing us to experience different cultures. Let us not forget that food and culture come hand in hand and indulging in authentic cuisine, regardless of where you eat it, is a little bite into another culture.
That’s all for now,
